Rubik's Cubes in Movies

As a devotee of both Rubik's cubes and movies, I like it when a Rubik's cube appears in a feature movie. To keep a bit track of them, I started this list. If you have any suggestions, do not hesitate to
email them to me
or
@ them to me on Twitter

The Amazing Spider-Man

A 2012 American superhero film directed by Marc Webb, based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man, starring Andrew Garfield in the title role, and co-starring Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans.
IMDbWikipedia

Uncle Ben standing in the doorway, next to a desk with lying on it: a Rubik's Cube
Columbia Pictures, 2012

Appearance

Switched positions of the cube after the scene.
Columbia Pictures, 2012

Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) have a chat on various things in the past. Just when Ben walks in, he grabs the cube from the desk in Peter's room. Peter is a tech freak, so of course he has a Rubik's Cube in his bedroom.

Ben twists the cube on one side, and when the conversation is over, he puts back the cube on the desk.

Just a split second later, Peter's hands are shown while he types in something on the computer. The cube has changed place (from the one end of the keyboard to the other), which is a bit weird.

Armageddon

A 1998 disaster/science fiction-action film directed by Michael Bay.
IMDbWikipedia

Appearance

In an interview, a few main characters are asked to solve a Rubik's cube. Rockhound
(Steve Buscemi)
solves a Rubik's cube. We only see him solve the final move.

Quotes

Piece of cake.

Rockhound
(After solving the Rubik's cube.)

Being John Malkovich

A 1999 American comedy-fantasy film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. It stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, and John Malkovich, who plays a fictional version of himself.
IMDbWikipedia

Dude, Where's My Car?

Appearance

Two groups of aliens and a group of space-wannabe-nerds are searching for a
Continuum Transfunctioner
For some reason they think Jesse
(Ashton Kutcher)
and Chester
(Seann William Scott)
have this device that can destroy the planet. The Rubik's cube appears in the movie after a while, and turns out to be the
Continuum Transfunctioner
at the end of the movie.

Comments

On the images you can see that white is next to yellow on their cube. Usually, white is apposite yellow on the cube.

Quotes

Cool!

Chester
(After finding the Rubik's cube in his pocket.)

Dude, you're never gonna figure that thing out.

Jesse
(When Chester is trying to solve the cube.)
Composition of four screencaps where the Rubik's cube transforms in a Continuum Transfunctioner.
Copyright Alcon Entertainment, 2000

Transcript

For no reason Chester instantly holds a Rubik's cube when pizzas get delivered at a place where they're stuck with aliens. The cube is almost solved, Chester only has to turn one side.

Chester

Look dude, I almost got it!

Jesse

Dude, you're really starting to urge me with your Rubik's cube!

After Chester turned the side, the Rubik's cube transforms into the
Continuum Transfunctioner
(See also the figure.)

Duplicity

Appearance

The Rubik's cube appears in one scene, where Ray
(Clive Owen)
holds a Rubik's cube keychain in his hand to allow Claire
(Julia Robberts)
to recognise him. Later in the scene Claire has a similar cube in her handbag. The keychain is also seen in the trailer.

Enter the Void

A 2009 psychedelic melodrama written and directed by Gaspar Noé.
IMDbWikipedia

A Rubik's cube laying on a gramaphone record player.
Copyright Fidélité Films, 2009

Appearance

A Rubik's cube can be seen shortly when protagonist Oscar
(Nathaniel Brown)
grabs a book. The cube lays on a gramaphone record player. The cube is also seen in the trailer.

Hævnen

Danish, "In a Better World"

A 2010 Danish drama film directed by Susanne Bier and written by Anders Thomas Jensen.
IMDbWikipedia

Elias playing with a Rubik's cube in a classroom.
Copyright Danmarks Radio, 2010

Appearance

In a classroom we see Elias
(Markus Rygaard)
playing with a Rubik's cube. It is shown shortly, and we don't know if Elias was able to solve the cube.

Hellboy

Appearance

A merman-like creature called Abe Sapien
(Doug Jones)
is recovering in his aquarium and tries to solve a Rubik's Cube. He talks with Liz Sherman
(Selma Blair)
and complains about his inability to solve the Rubik's Cube.

Comments

Frankly, Abe is not able to solve the Rubik's cube. Earlier in the movie he is introduced as an intelligent creature with psychometric abilities.

Abe states that it took him
three decades
to solve two sides. The movie was released in 2004. If we suppose the movie does not take place in the future, that means he already had the cube in 1974. 1974 was the year the Rubik's cube was invented by Ernő Rubik. However, the Rubik's cube was released six years later in 1980 by Ideal Toys.

Almost all scenes in the sequel,
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
were shot in Hungary. Hungary is the homeland of the Rubik's cube. Ernő Rubik was born and lived in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary.
Hellboy
itself was shot in the Czech Republic.

Quote

Listen, I'm not much of a problem solver. Three decades… and I've only completed two sides.

Abe Sapien

Hitch

A 2005 romantic comedy film directed by Andy Tennant and starring Will Smith.
IMDbWikipedia

Eva Mendez holding a portophone while there is a Rubik's cub on her desk.
Copyright Columbia Pictures Corporation, 2005

While Sara Melas
(Eva Mendes)
is at her work, there is a Rubik's Cube lying on her desk. Multiple shots cover the appearance, from multiple angles.

Låt den rätte komma in

Swedish, "Let the Right One In"

A 2008 romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson.
IMDbWikipedia

Eli is trying to solve the Rubik's cube.
Copyright EFTI, 2008

Appearance

There are three scenes where the Rubik's Cube appears.

The first is when a girl named Eli
(Lina Leandersson)
looks at Oskar
(Kåre Hedebrant)
trying to solve the cube. She asks about it, and Oskar lends her the cube. In the scene is visible that Oskar is only able to solve one side of the cube.

In a scene without spoken words, Oskar finds the cube on the spot where he met Eli earlier. The cube is solved.

In a later scene, Oskar asks Eli how she solved the cube. She states that she
just twisted it
and starts explaining how she solved the cube, before the scene ends.

Comments

The explained method is a corners-first method. This is usually not a method beginners practice.

Transcript

Eli

What's that?

Oskar

This? It's a Rubik's Cube.

Eli

Is it some kind of puzzle?

Oskar

Yeah… Want to try? You can give it back tomorrow.

Eli

I might not be here tomorrow.

Oskar

The day after, then. But that's it.
Oskar hands over the cube to Eli.

Eli

How do you do it?

Oskar

You want each side to be a solid color. Like this…

Oskar finds the Rubik's cube.
Copyright EFTI, 2008

The scene ends. In a later scene Oskar finds the solved cube. In an even later scene this happens:

Oskar

How did you do it?

Eli

I just twisted it.

(…)

Oskar

Then you don't get any birthday presents, do you?

Eli

No.

Oskar

You can have this if you want.

Eli

It's yours.

Oskar

I don't get how you did this…

Eli

Want me to show you?

Oskar

Here. Go ahead.

Eli

Start with the corners. Then this part. And you put… Like this… No, like this. Then this…

Appearance

The cube used in Prometheus is not an actual Rubik's Cube. It looks very much like it though, as it has a shiny 3x3x3 grid. In the movie Charlie Holloway
(Logan Marshall-Green)
nervously plays with the cube, and finally activates it by touching several components of the cube, as shown in the large image above. The cube then visualizes some data collected by Charlie and his team on earth.

The Pursuit of Happyness

A 2006 American biographical film directed by Gabriele Muccino about the on and off-homeless salesman-turned-stockbroker Chris Gardner.
IMDbWikipedia

Appearance

Chris Gardner
(Will Smith)
is trying to get a internship to become a stockbroker at
Dean Witter Reynolds
A scene where Chris solves a Rubik's cube plays a key role in Chris' attempts to get real contact with Mr Twistle
(Brian Howe)
Important to note is that this movie takes place in the year 1981. The Rubik's cube appears in the following scenes:

Chris finds a Rubik's cube in the kitchen while having supper with his wife Linda
(Thandie Newton)
and son Christopher
(Jaden Smith)
He asks what is is, and what to do with it.

Later that evening Chris is not able to sleep. He gets out of bed, and on his couch he is trying to solve the Rubik's cube. He is able to make a white cross, then solve the first layer of the cube, and shortly later the second layer.

A few scenes later Chris and his son watch a program on the television about the Rubik's cube. The news reporter
(James Finnerty)
states that he is not able to solve much of it. Also, he says that a professor in Mathematics was able to solve the cube in 30 minutes.

During a taxi ride with Mr Twistle, Chris says that he is able to solve a cube after Mr Twistle states that is is
impossible
Chris solves the whole cube being very lucky, but Mr Twistle does not see that. This opens Mr Twistle's eyes, and Chris is later invited for an interview.

Comments

The Rubik's cubes in the movie have a Rubik's logo on the white center piece. However, in 1981 those stickers were not yet sticked onto Rubik's cubes.

The cube was solved using the Tyson Mao's beginner method. The method was not yet invented in 1981. In fact, Tyson Mao was born in 1984. The method is very similar to the Fridrich method. This is a method developed by Jessica Fridrich, she started developing this technique after she
met the cube
face-toface
Rubik's cube (…) in March 1981
[1]

The news reporter didn't do a real good job if he was real. The
Guinness Book of World Records
organized the first world championship on March 13, 1981. The record was set at 38 seconds by Jury Froeschl. This is contrary to the 30 minutes the reporter says the Math professor took it to solve.

It is not known to me, if the real Chris Gardner solved a Rubik's cube in order to impress someone else. And if he solved it, how did he solved it?

Chris meeting the cube for the first time.
Copyright Columbia Pictures Corporation, 2008

Transcript

Chris picks up a Rubik's cube.

Chris

What that?

Linda

Eh?

Chris

What is this?

Linda

That's a gift for Christopher.

Chris

From who?

Linda

Sent here from work. It's for Dulls, Chris can't us it and she didn't know.
(Note: she speaks too fast, I guess she says this ;)

The scene continues with another subject, while Chris is taking a look at the Rubik's cube. Later that evening he solves the first two layers.

In a later scene, a TV is shown where Jim Finnerty presents the Rubik's cube.

Jim Finnerty

It's a puzzle measuring just three inches by three inches on each side, made up of multiple colors that you twist and turn and try to get to a solid color on each side. This little cube is the gift sensation of 1981. Don't expect to solve it easily, although we did encounter a Math professor at CSF who took just 30 minutes on his'. This is as far as I've gotten on mine and as you can see I still have a long way to go. This is Jim Finnerty reporting from KJSF in Richmond.

In this scene Chris has to convince Mr. Twistle that he is capable for a job as stockbroker.

Chris

So, when I was in the Navy I worked for a doctor who loved to play golf, hours every day. I would actually perform medical procedures when he'd leave me in the office. So, I'm used to be in a position where I have to make decisions and eh…
Mr. Twistle is too focussed on the Rubik's cube
Mr. Twistle, listen, this is very important.

It looks like it works around a swipple.
The camera moves away to the cabdriver who listens intensely. He holds an unsolved cube in his hands. Chris does not stop speaking:
The center pieces never move. So if it's yellow in the center, it is the yellow side. If it's red it's the center of the red side.
To the cabriver:
You can slow down.

Mr. Twistle

Listen, we can drive around all day. I don't believe you can do this.

Chris

Yeah I can.

Mr. Twistle

No you can't.

Chris

Yeah I can. Nobody can.
Chris solves the white cross.
See, that's all I could do.
Chris almost solves the first layer.
You almost have the center! Ah, you almost had that one. Look at that!
Chris solves the first two layers, and Mr. Twistle is amazed. The cab stops and Mr. Twistle and the cabdriver look at Chris.
You're almost there.
Chris solves the cube.

Cabdriver

$17.10

Mr. Twistle

This is me.
Nods.
Good job. Goodbye.

Chris

See you soon!

Cabdriver

Where are you going sir? Excuse me sir, where are you going?

TRON: Legacy

A 2010 American science fiction film released by Walt Disney Pictures. It's a sequel to TRON (1982), directed by Joseph Kosinski and stars Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde.
IMDbWikipedia

Toys, including a Rubik's Cube and two disc wars figures, placed in a closet.
Copyright Walt Disney Pictures, 2010

Appearance

During the tukking in of the youngh Sam Flynn (Owen Best) by his father (Jeff Bridges), the camera captures various parts of the bedroom. In the closet, a Rubik's Cube is placed among other toys.

WALL·E

A 2008 computer-animated-science fiction-romance film directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Pixar Animation Studios.
IMDbWikipedia

Appearance

In the future WALL·E systems are left on earth to clean up the then very dirty earth. Over time, lots of WALL·E systems died, except one. He (in the movie just called WALL·E) has developed a strong personality, including a habit of collecting interesting pieces of garbage. In the movie we see WALL·E unpacking a Rubik's cube he collected on duty. He takes a look at it, and then puts it in some sort of locker.

Later on, when a robot called EVE has arrived on earth, WALL·E takes her to his 'house' and shows the (unsolved) Rubik's cube. The camera moves away following WALL·E and returns only a few seconds later. EVE has a solved the Rubik's cube. It is not shown how she solved the Rubik's cube.

At the end of the movie WALL·E does not recognize EVE any more after an accident. EVE tries various ways to bring back his memory, without immediate success. One of the things she tries is showing him the Rubik's cube.

The end credits feature a pixel-art animation showing WALL·E trying to solve a Rubik's cube. EVE flies by and in a flash the Rubik's cube solves itself (see also the figure).

Three screenshots of the animation in the end-credits.
Copyright Pixar Animation Studios, 2008

Comments

This image
shows a WALL·E Rubik's cube. I don't know if it's fake or not.

Thanks

Copyright

The
imagesdialogues
and
quotes
on this web page are used under fair use policy. I used the content to imply how a Rubik's cube appears in a movie, since this specific content adds a lot of value to this document as a whole. If you think something on this webpage is used wrongfully, please contact me at
arjan@arjaneising.nl